Diverse collection of one-of-a-kind wines to be auctioned at fifth anniversary celebration held at MacMurray Estate Vineyards on May 3, 2019
Santa Rosa, CA (March 26, 2019)—Sonoma County Vintners has revealed a diverse collection of lots with 84 “Never Before, Never Again” wines to be auctioned at the Fifth Annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction. Hosted at MacMurray Estate Vineyards, this invitation-only event for licensed members of the wine trade will take place on Friday, May 3, 2019. Auction lots can be viewed on the Sonoma County Barrel Auction website.
“We’re excited to unveil the collection of wines offered for the 2019 Sonoma County Barrel Auction,” said Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director, Michael Haney. “This event gives us the opportunity to showcase the quality and diversity of our wines and our world-class wine region to visiting buyers from across the nation and around the world, and shine a spotlight on our renowned vintners and growers.”
The 2019 Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots are representative of the exceptional diversity of Sonoma County. Sonoma County is home to 18 appellations, has over 400 wineries and grows over 60 varieties of wine grapes. Attendees can expect to find sparkling, white and red wines from the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Fountaingrove District, Knights Valley, Moon Mountain District, Petaluma Gap, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and more. Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots range in size from five to 20 cases and include highly collectible single vineyard bottlings, blends, and joint wine lots crafted by collaborating wineries.
Collector favorites returning in 2019 with exclusive new barrel lots include Cabernet Sauvignon from Silver Oak Cellars, a “First of Its Kind” Cabernet made at their new state-of-the-art, LEED Platinum certified Alexander Valley winery and Pride Mountain Vineyards “Summit Cuvée” sourced from the oldest vineyard block at the summit of the estate. Pinot Noir lots include Williams Selyem “The West Side”, an homage to three legendary vineyards: Rochioli Riverblock, Allen Vineyard and Williams Selyem Estate; Kosta Browne Winery “Treehouse” Pinot Noir, Winemaker Nico Cueva’s first and last vineyard designate bottling from Treehouse Vineyard; and MacRostie Winery “Tribute 45”, a wine sourced from three remarkable, grand cru-caliber vineyards that hold a special place in Steve MacRostie’s winemaking history: Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, Sangiacomo Vineyard, and MacRostie’s Thale’s Estate.
The 2019 lots showcase the diversity of wines grown across Sonoma County, from Chardonnay to Zinfandel and more – ranging from Ramey Wine Cellars “Single Block – Charles Ranch” Chardonnay from a single block at the Martinelli Charles Ranch in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, to old vine Zinfandels crafted by Gamba Vineyards and Winery “1900” with fruit sourced from their estate’s 120-year-old vines, as well as Seghesio Family Vineyards and Carlisle Winery & Vineyards “The Magic & Might of Montafi Ranch” which represents a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between two leaders in Zinfandel and old vine stewardship. Sparkling wines include J Vineyards & Winery “J Vintage Rosé Mag-nifique”, a first-ever Magnum release.
Sonoma County’s appellation collaboration lots include two Petaluma Gap Winegrowers’ Pinot Noir lots, “Aura – Goddess of the Wind” and “Zephyros – God of the West Wind”, with the Gap’s ‘girls versus the boys’ legacy returning for a rematch. West Sonoma Coast will feature two Pinot Noir lots, with their “Women of the West” and “West Sonoma Coast Vintners Founder’s Lot”. Fountaingrove District’s first collaboration lot debuts in 2019 with “Elevated Cab, BFF”, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah blend which includes fruit from the final harvest of the Peaceland Vineyard. Russian River Valley Winegrowers showcase Pinot Noir lots with a “Venerations” collaboration and unveil their sixth official neighborhood in “5+1 RRV Neighborhoods = A LOT”.
New collectables from first time participants include: ACORN Winery, Bear Flag, Chappellet, Crescere, CrossBarn Winery, Fulcrum Wines, Montagne Russe Winery, Paradise Ridge Winery, Ron Rubin Winery, Sangiacomo Family Wines, Schermeister Winery, Smith Story Wine Cellars, Sosie Wines, Thomas George Estates and Vaughn Duffy Wines.
Preview tastings of Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots will be held on Thursday, May 2 and during the Sonoma County Barrel Auction before the live auction begins on Friday, May 3. Trade and media guests are invited to AVA Hosted Preview Tastings on May 2 at 11:00am – 1:00pm (hosted by Petaluma Gap, Russian River Valley and West Sonoma Coast) and 2:00 – 4:00pm (hosted by Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley), featuring participating wineries pouring barrel auction lots and current release wines.
Trade registration is now open for the 2019 Sonoma County Barrel Auction. To request a ticket or for information on placing an absentee bid, please visit: SonomaWine.com/BarrelAuction or contact info@sonomawine.com.
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions. Sonoma County Vintners represents over 200 wineries throughout the county. We actively promote Sonoma County through our educational programming; advocate for our vintners at local, state and federal levels; and contribute to our local communities through our charitable foundation, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Auction, our annual fundraiser, has raised over $30 million benefiting non-profit organizations throughout the region.
To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit sonomawine.com.
About MacMurray Estate Vineyards
With estate vineyards in some of the world’s most sought-after Pinot Noir regions, MacMurray Estate Vineyards crafts an award-winning collection of Pinot Noir and cool-climate white wines. The winery’s namesake Russian River Valley vineyard, MacMurray Estate, was once owned by actor Fred MacMurray, who purchased the land in 1941. Today, the winemakers at MacMurray Estate Vineyards are dedicated to Pinot Noir, overseeing everything from rootstock selection to barrel aging, to craft the winery’s signature varietal. The result is a portfolio of wines that illuminates the unique, nuanced flavors of each estate vineyard.
Learn more at MacMurrayEstateVineyards.com.
